With the weather hitting the the low 80’s, cloudless skies and the beaming sun, it can be hard to stay focused inside of a dark classroom. Most students are eagerly in anticipation for the arrival of summer vacation, but for some, summer vacation may mean their last time at home before the start of a new chapter.

Senior year, a time to make memories, spend time with our friends and families and start gearing up for the road ahead, college.

The college process is a long, emotionally and mentally exhausting process, consisting of months of applications, waiting, and decisions that ultimately change your life.

For some, going away to college may be their first time away from home.

For others, college may just be around the corner or right in their backyard.

Senior Catherine Mead-Smith is one of the numerous students making the trek to an unfamiliar territory for college.

“I am going to Loyola University in Chicago,” said Mead-Smith, “I’m nervous to leave my family and the familiarity of home, but I am also so excited to start this adventure.”

Mead- Smith is not the only one heading out the door and to another place far from home.

Senior Amanda Derr is headed to Texas Christian University where she is excited to be a Horned Frog.

“It’ll be cool to experience an environment and place that is very different from where I am from,” said Derr, “This experience is going to be one of the best times of my life, I know it.”

Chicago, Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Alabama are just a few of the places that the Braves are flying off too, but a vast number of students are prepared to stick near home and show some Washington pride.

Western Washington, University of Washington, Washington State University  and Gonzaga are just a few of the in- state schools to which Braves are headed.

The sense of comfort and familiarity in their home town is equally as amazing of an opportunity as those on their way far from home.

Senior Sheila Williams is on her way to the University of Washington, 15 minutes from home, where she plans to rush a sorority and try out for the Track and Field team as an Husky athlete.

“I am so excited to be a Husky,” said Williams, “I love Seattle, and UW was genuinely the best choice for me.”

Despite the energy and excitement from the Braves upon their departure to college, there is still the last hurdle to jump through, finishing high school.

As the school year comes to a close, it may be difficult to continue on through the drawling school work while the sun is beating down outside and the hopes of freedom are in the horizon.